
What is the movie American wrestler The Wizard about?
American Wrestler: The Wizard is a 2016 American sports biographical film directed by Alex Ranarivelo. The film centers around the world of competitive high school wrestling and stars George Kosturos as Ali Jahani, a 17 year old who escapes Iran in the 1980s after the Iran hostage crisis...
Is American wrestler based on a true story?
DENVER – March 23, 2017 – Film festival favorite “American Wrestler: The Wizard” comes to movie theaters nationwide for cinematic debut on May 3 only. Based on true events, the heartwarming coming of age story is set in a world of competitive high school wrestling, starring William Fichtner, Jon Voight and introducing newcomer George Kosturos.
Who are the actors in American wrestler The Wizard?
William Fichtner, Jon Voight, Ali Afshar, Gabriel Basso, Kevin G. Schmidt and Lia Marie Johnson also star in supporting roles. The idea for American Wrestler: The Wizard is heavily transpired by producer Ali Afshar who took up wrestling in his high school after fleeing from his home country of Iran due to the political outrage in the 1970s.
Who is George Kosturos and what is the movie The Wrestler about?
The film centers around the world of competitive high school wrestling and stars George Kosturos as Ali Jahani, a 17 year old who escapes Iran in the 1980s after the Iran hostage crisis and must adjust to life in a small California town only to face more hostility in America due to the hostage crisis.
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Production
The idea for American Wrestler: The Wizard is heavily transpired by producer Ali Afshar who took up wrestling in his high school after fleeing from his home country of Iran due to the political outrage in the 1970s.
Release
The film premiered at the Newport Beach Film Festival on April 23, 2016 and had a limited theatrical run starting May 3, 2017.
Sequel
The sequel titled American Wrestler: The Fighter was announced by producers Forrest Lucas and Ali Afshar. Principal photography began in North Carolina in June 2017. George Kosturos returns to star with Tommy Flanagan, Bryan Craig, Sean Patrick Flanery and Parviz Sayyad joining as new cast members.
Storyline
In this inspiring tale based on true events, 17-year-old Ali Jahani is a newcomer to a small California town, where he stands out as different in an unwelcoming community. Living with his embittered uncle, the boy faces a mountain of adversity everywhere he turns.
Did you know
Based on the real life of producer Ali Afshar who portrays Ali's uncle in the movie.
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By what name was American Wrestler: The Wizard (2016) officially released in India in English?
